In 2009, NARAL Pro-Choice Texas Foundation released a report that highlighted the misleading practices of fake clinics, “Taxpayer Financed Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Texas: A Hidden Threat to Women’s Health.” The following year, the Austin City Council passed a resolution that required fake clinics to post signs notifying people entering the center that the center does not provide abortion, abortion referral, or contraceptive services and does not have a licensed medical provider on site. Following a court challenge, the City Council revised the ordinance to remove references to abortion and contraception, requiring only that fake clinics post signs notifying potential clients whether or not a medical provider was part of the center’s staff. However, in 2014, a federal court judge struck down the ordinance, ruling that it was unconstitutionally vague.
- Read NARAL Pro-Choice Texas Foundation’s 2009 and 2014 investigations into fake clinics.
- Rewire covered the 2010 ordinance, and Burnt Orange Report covered the 2012 revision.
- Read the revised 2012 ordinance.
- View the 2010 and 2012 City Council meetings.
- The Austin Chronicle covered the federal court ruling and the history of the ordinance.
